Latch device



Sept. 8, 1931. w. A. SCOTT 1,822,424

LATCH DEVICE Filed Oct. 24. 1928 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM A. SCOTT, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO MCKINNEY MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, I1 CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVAN IA LATCH DEVICE Application filed October 24, 1928. Serial No. 314,655.

My invention relates to protected latch bolt strike. plates, and more particularly to a protected strike plate having an adjustable guard for use with latch bolts having beveled ends, although the invention is not so ]limited and may be used with other types of olts.

An object of my invention is to provide a protected strike plate wherein guard means projects into the space between the door and door j amb to revent picking or withdrawal of the latch bolt when the door knobs or either of them are locked against turning.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for adjustably securing the guard means to the strike plate, so that it will be possible to protect the latch bolt at various clearances between the door and door jamb by adjusting the guard means.

Another object of my invention is to provide a strike plate that will insure sufiicient room for latch bolt throw, because of the necessity for cutting the mortise in the door j amb deeply enough to accommodate the strike plate.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of a present preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a present preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a latch and strike plate structure; Fig. 2 is a front elevational view, looking toward the edge of the door jamb, of the protected adjustable strike plate structure; Fig. 3 is an edge elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the structure of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a plan view, in section, similar to Fig. 1, but having a greater clearance between the door and door jamb, to illustrate the adaptability of the protected strike plate.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a door 1, co-operating with a door jamb 2, constructed in any usual manner for doors opening inwardly, is provided with suitable lock mechanism having knobs 3 and 4. The knobs 3 and 4 are adapted to retract a latch bolt 5 by any suitable bolt-rectracting mechanism located in the latch body, such, for example, as disclosed in the patent to VVread,

Mu. r,720,635. Inasmuch as the specific boltretracting mechanism forms no part of the .1

present invention it will not be described. The latch bolt 5 projects outwardly from the free edge of the door 1 and, when the door is,

in the closed position, extends into a mortise 6, provided in the door j amb 2.

A strike plate 7 is provided. Such plate has an opening 8 which is preferably made by bending a portion of the body of the plate angularly inwardly from the face thereof as strike plate 7 is channeled so as to form a longitudinally-extending trough 14 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4). A guard plate 15 is provided with a trough portion 16 similar in shape to the trough 14, and is adjustably secured to the lug 10, with the trough portions 14 and 16 in engagement, by a set screw 17. The set screw 17 passes through a longitudinal slot 18 in the trough 16, and is threaded into the trough 14. The outer edge 19 of the guard plate 15 projects through the opening 8 and into the space between the door and door j amb.

The co-engagement of the troughs 14 and 16 locks the lug 10 and the guard plate 15 against relative turning movement, while the slot 18 permits of longitudinal adjustment of the guard plate so that the outer edge 19 thereof may be adjusted to any desired position outwardly of the strike plate.

As shown in Fig. 5, there may be more clearance between the door and door jamb than usual, due to shrinking or improper hanging of the door. To adjust the guard plate 15, the set screw 17 is loosened, the guard plate is pulled outwardly the desired distance int-o the space between the door and door jamb, and the set screw again tightened. I

It will. be seen that owing to the outward projection of the guard plate, the latch. bolt will be protected from all sides against improper tampering to retract the latch bolt. F or instance, it will be impossible for anyone from the outer side of the door to insert a tool or implement against the beveled face of the latch bolt to force it back and thus be enabled to open the door independently of the outer knob which may be locked in various well-known ways againstturning movement. The guard plate also prevents the latch bolt from being pushed back by a steel or celluloid band passed in a vertical direction between the edge of the door and the door jamb.

Also, it will be noted that when installing the strike plate, sufficient clearance will be provided tor the necessary bolt throw, as the mortise must be deep enough to accommodate the strike plate structure.

lVhile I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be c i stinctly understood that the same not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Latch structure, comprising alatch bolt strike plate having a latch bolt receiving opening therein, a flange formed on one of the-edges of said opening and extending generally at an angle to the vertical end face of the door when the door is closed, and a guard plate rigidly secured to said flange and extending into the space between the door and door jamb.

:2. Latch structure comprising a latch bolt strike plate having a latch bolt receiving opening therein, a flange formed on one of the edges of said opening and extending generally at an angle to the vertical end face of the door when the door is closed, a guard plate rigidly secured to said flange and extending into the space between the door and door ainb, and means for adjusting said plate to dispose its free edge at dillierent distances outwardly of the strike plate.

Latch structure comprising a latch bolt strike plate having a portion of its body bent augularly inwardly, forming a latch bolt receiving opening, and a guard plate adjustably secured to said inwardly bent portion oi? the strike plate and projecting through said opening outwardly of the strike plate.

4i. Latch structure comprising a latch bolt strike plate having a portion of its body bent angularly inwardly, forming a latch bolt receiving opening, a longitudinally extend ing channel in said inwardly bent portion of the strike plate, a guard plate secured there to, a co-engaging channel in said guard plate,

and means for adjustahly securing said guard plate to said strike plate.

5. In a latch structure for doors, a strike plate having an opening for the latch bolt and arranged to be secured to the jamb oi the door, a bolt guard having a portion extending outwardly from the strike plate towards the door, and means whereby the guard may be adjusted towards the door to cover the protruding end of the latch bolt when the door is closed, said means fixedly securing the guard in its adjusted position.

in testimony whereof I, the said WILLIAM A. Soo'rr, have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM A. SCOTT. 

